Satellite News

Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced the signing of an agreement with TerreStar Networks Inc. under which Hughes will design, develop, and supply a satellite chipset platform based on UMTS standards to enable wireless mobile devices to communicate over the satellite portion of TerreStar’s network.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. could be sold for US$500 million, the Financial Times reported.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) injected the Kaguya main satellite in its scheduled orbit and shifted its operation mode to the regular control mode.

A successful re-ignition of the Ariane 5 upper stage engine performed during the most recent mission has consolidated Ariane 5’s readiness for the launch of the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle, ESA said.

International Launch Services (ILS) has scheduled its next Proton Briz M commercial mission for 18 November from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with the launch of the Sirius 4 satellite for SES Sirius of Sweden.

Rocket: Soyuz FG/Fregat; Payload: four Globalstar satellites; Date: 20 October 2007, 2012 UTC; Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The upper stage accurately injected the four satellites into the targeted low Earth orbit at 920 km altitude.